9 Expert-Recommended Ways To Stay Safe During Wildfires

Ileana is the Editor of Original Content at LittleThings. She grew up in upstate New York and Oregon and now lives in Queens, NY. Ileana graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in sociology. After graduating, she attended the Columbia Publishing Course in New York City, then worked as in marketing at Oxford University Press. Since transitioning to editorial, she has written for sites like BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Unwritten. She has also worked for local newspapers and magazines in upstate New York. In her free time, you can find Ileana watching Law and Order: SVU, eating ice cream, and spending time with her dog.

Every single year, forests around the world unintentionally go up in flames.

In America, these fires happen in the same areas: California, the Pacific Northwest, and dry areas of the Midwest.

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It can be terrifying for residents living in those areas, and it can affect huge portions of land. Wildfires are hugely destructive and take down everything in their paths.

Unfortunately, wildfires don’t only affect forests, trees, and shrubbery — they can also set houses and businesses on fire.

Although most people have heard of forest fires and wildfires, many assume they’ll never be affected by them. It seems like the kind of issue that other people have — not you.

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But what should you do if you find yourself in a zone affected by fire? How can you keep yourself, your family, and your house safe?

Read the safety tips below to find out exactly what you should do during a wildfire.

You should also make sure your property is insured against wildfire damage.

2. Make A Wildfire Evacuation And Communication Plan

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Knowing your wildfire risk and having a plan can help you stay safe if a fire ever starts nearby.

Make sure you know possible evacuation routes, learn about shelters willing to house evacuees, and talk to your friends and family about your communication plan.

Think about using cell phones, email, and social media to connect with other people in an emergency.

3. During A "Fire Weather Watch," Prepare For Evacuation

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A “fire weather watch,” which is an alert issued by the National Weather Service, will let you know if your area is at risk of fire weather conditions in the next 12 to 72 hours.

If you get one of these alerts, turn on your television or radio to stay updated and get emergency instructions, and start preparing for evacuation.

During this time, you should fill your car with gas, put together emergency food and clothing kits, and make sure your family is ready to go.

4. Limit Your Exposure To Smoke

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One thing many people don’t think about when it comes to wildfires is the danger of smoke.

The CDC explains, “Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. This smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.”

5. Leave Immediately If Evacuation Is Ordered

If you think you may be in an area that will be ordered to evacuate, you can leave early and get ahead of the traffic.

Once evacuation is ordered, leave immediately. Don’t linger or wait to leave — get your family and pets to the evacuation route as quickly as you can.

The NFPA explains, “Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire, and helps ensure residents’ safety.”

6. Don't Return Home Until Authorities Say It's Safe

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Even if the wildfire has ended, you should never return home until authorities tell you it’s safe to do so.

Don’t make assumptions about the safety of your area — just wait until you get the “all clear” from officials, then you can return to your house.

Once you’re home, be on high alert for burned areas, smoke, hidden embers, or sparks in and around your house. If you smell any smoke, evacuate immediately, and call 911.

7. Clean Your Home Safely

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When it’s time to clean your home, make sure you do it safely.

Ready.gov explains that you need to wear a dust mask (make sure it’s NIOSH-certified), and wet any debris to minimize dust. You should also throw away any food that was exposed to heat, soot, or smoke.

Finally, don’t use any water that might be contaminated.

8. Help Others Once You're Safe

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Once you’re safe, check to see if there’s anything you can do to help other people in your community who may not have been as lucky.

If anyone’s house was destroyed, they may need help rebuilding their life — consider donating food or money to organizations set up to help wildfire victims.

9. Call 911 If Someone Gets Burned

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If the wildfire somehow makes its way to you, and you or someone you know gets burned, call 911 right away.

Never try to handle a wildfire burn yourself. Call for help, and let the medical professionals do their jobs.

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